INNISFAIL – Despite the big chill outside determined locals ensured there was plenty of quality time for every member of the family.
It was, after all, the annual wintertime holiday of Family Day on Feb. 18.
“I think it’s great. There’s a little bit of something for everyone to do,” said Kristie Fay, who was out in the community enjoying Family Day with her mother, children and in-laws. “It’s just nice to have a reason to do it because it seems everyone is so busy these days. To have a day dedicated to spending with your family is just a good reason to come together with everyone.”
The Town of Innisfail joined the Innisfail Kinsmen Club and other local organizations, including the Innisfail Ski Hill, Innisfail Lions Club and the Innisfail Curling Club, to provide a fun-filled Family Day.
“We’ve had a good morning. We’ve probably had 10 or 12 families in I would say, at least,” said Doug Schaefer, president of the Innisfail Curling Club. “A lot of people that have come out today have never been in the facility before and never curled, so they’re seeing it for the first time."
Afternoon activities included a hotdog barbecue, hayrides, an outdoor firepit and fire truck display at the Innisfail Arena, as well as indoor skating, skiing at the Innisfail Ski Hill and a family swim at the Innisfail Aquatic Centre.
The Innisfail Kinsmen Club has teamed up with the town to provide families with an enjoyable day for the past 15 years.
Once again, they collected cash donations at the barbecue for a cystic fibrosis charity. The aquatic centre accepted cash and non-perishable food items for the Innisfail and District Food Bank, as admission to the family swim.
“Unfortunately the weather wasn’t nice enough to be at the outside skating rink but we’ve moved to the front of the arena,” said Russ Klemmer, president of the Kinsmen Club. “We’re doing our (barbecue) hotdogs, we have coffee and hot chocolate courtesy of Tim Hortons, we’ve got the firepit from the town, the (Innisfail) fire truck is on display, and we’ve got the tractor with hayrides throughout the day until three o’clock.
“The town opened up the arena and people can come in and do some skating and (play) shinny and have a great time with the family,” he added.
Klemmer said last year they had just over 400 people out for the event, and hoped to have the same number this year.
